Influence on yield and quality traits of strawberry cv. Flamenco by nano chitosan, encapsulated PGPR bio capsules and T. harzianum bio capsules

The present investigation was conducted during 2023- 24 and 2024- 25 to evaluate the influence of nano chitosan, encapsulated Plant Growth- Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) bio- capsules and Trichoderma harzianum bio- capsules on the quality and yield traits of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Flamenco, under subtropical conditions. Treatments comprising soil- drenching applications of Nano chitosan, PGPR and T. harzianum individually and in combinations demonstrated significant improvements in biochemical and yield parameters. The three- way combination treatment T8- Nano chitosan 100 ppm + T. harzianum 200 ppm + PGPR 200 ppm recorded the highest enhancement in ascorbic acid (59.32 mg/100 g), total soluble solids (11.85°Brix), total sugar (9.64 %), TSS: acid ratio (13.31), total anthocyanin (31.10 mg/100 g), total flavonoids (33.92 mg/100 g) and total phenol content (77.04 mg GAE/100 g), accompanied by superior yield performance (18.19 fruits per plant, 199.99 g fruit yield per plant). PCA revealed that the first two components accounted for 98.88% of the total variation, with PC1 alone explaining 98.01%. PC1 was positively associated with total soluble solids (0.998), total sugars (0.997), sugar:acid ratio (0.999), total phenol content (0.979) and fruit yield per plant (0.998) and negatively associated with titratable acidity (-0.988) and ascorbic acid (-0.955). Treatment T8 exhibited the highest PC1 score, indicating its effectiveness in improving both biochemical quality and yield traits.